Remote controlled hydraulic valve actuating means



Jan. 14, 1964 Filed June 20, 1960 H. R. BILLETER REMOTE CONTROLLED HYDRAULIC VALVE ACTUATING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2

FLU/D FILLED HENRY R. B/LLETER PARKER 5 CARTER Jan. 14, 1964 H. R. BILLETER 3,117,761

REMOTE CONTROLLED HYDRAULIC VALVE ACTUATING MEANS Filed June 20, 1960 2 Sheet-Sheet z INVENTOR. HENRY R. B/LLETER BY PARKER 8 CARTER A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,117,761 REWOTE CGNTROLLED HYBRAULIC VALVE ACTUATENG MEAN Henry R. Eilleter, Deerfield, EL, assi nor to Sloan Valve Company, Qhieago, ill, a corporation of lllinois Filed .lune 29, N50, Ser. No. 37,336 4- Claims. {61. 25157) This invention relates in general to mechanisms for actuating valves and more particularly to a new and improved hydraulic actuating mechanism for operating flush valves of the type used in plumbing fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved actuating mechanism for a flush valve concealed behind a wall in which the flush valve may be mounted without regard to: accurate roughingin measurements, the position of the plumbing fixture, or the location of the manual actuating means, thereby saving on labor and installaion costs.

A further object is to devise a new and improved hydraulic means for remotely controlling the actuation of a flush valve on a plumbing fixture whereby the usual complicated actuating, adjustable, and rigid mechanical connections are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved llush valve actuating mechanism comprising a fluid filled conduit having means for automatically replenishing the Fluid each time the mechanism is operated and the fluid displaced.

A further object is to design a new and improved flush valve actuating mechanism which is positive and reliable in operation, simple in construction, easy to install, is adaptable to various wall thicknesses, and solves many unforeseen problems encoun ered in an installation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, operation, and combination of elements which will be more fully described, illustrated and pointed out hereinafter.

It is desirable in many plumbing installations that flush valves for flushing water closets be concealed behind a wall in front of which the water closet is located. In such a case, it is necessary that the handle for operating the flush valve, protrude from the front of the wall Where it is readily accessible to the user of the Water closet, while the extension coupling of the handle passes through the wall and is rigidly connected to the flush valve. When installing such concealed flush valves, the plumber was confronted many times with the problem of ordering the correct length of handle coupling member because of the different wall thicknesses encountered and which may be changed when the wall is finally finished. Furthermore, it was always difficult for the plumber to accurately line up the flush valve with the opening in the wall for the handle. t was also necessary for him to place the flush valve to the left of the closet bowl so the handle would be accessible on the side of the closet bowl. This required the use of additional elbows and piping cormections from the flush valve outlet to the closet bowl, thereby increasing the cost of materials and labor.

The foregoing disadvantages are all overcome by the present invention in which a novel remotely controlled hydraulic actuator and mechanism is provided for a flush valve. The actuating mechanism is universally adapted for any wall thickness which may be encountered, the roughing-in of the flush valve need not be accurately made, the installation is much cheaper and simpler, and the need for the supplier to stock handle extensions of different legnths for various wall thicknesses is eliminated.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention:

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FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a typical plumbing installation illustrating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a full size cross-sectional side view of the handle operating unit in the Wall;

FIG. 3 is a full size partial cross-section view of the operating unit supported on the flush valve;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 through the operating unit; while FIG. 5 is a modification of the fluid replenishing unit.

Referring to FIG. 1, this shows a typical installation of a wall-hung water closet bowl 5 provided with a wellknown type of concealed flush valve 6, such as a Sloan Crown flush valve, wherein the inlet water supply pipe 7 is connected to a throttle valve 8 attached to the flush valve 6. The outlet pipe leads into the closet bowl 5 in the usual manner and a manual operating handle It for the flush valve protrudes from the front of the wall ll where it is accessible to a user.

The handle unit indicated generally at 12 supported on the wall 11, is connected by a piece of conduit 13, preferably copper tubing, with the actuating unit indicated at 14, FIG. 3, attached to the flush valve 6. The body 17 of the handle unit assembly 3.2 has a shank 18 extending rearwardly through an opening 19 drilled in the wall ll, and a stud 20 threads into the shank 18 and by means of adjusting nut 21 clamps a round bracket 22 against the rear wall surface 11 and thereby securely clamps the handle unit 12 to the Wall 11. The stud 2% may be made of a certain standard length and is cut oil to accommodate any wall thickness that may be countered in an installation. The amount cut oil depends upon the distance etween the rear end of shank l8 and the bracket 22. The handle unit 12 will in all instances be securely supported in position on the wall. Since there is no rigid connection between the handle unit 12 and the flush valve 6, the opening 1? may be drilled through the wall 11 anywhere where it is convenient and accessible to the user, and no accurate roughing-in dimensions need to be adhered to.

The handle unit 12 also includes a cup-shaped casing 25 on the front of the wall it which is secured to the body 17 by a series of screws as around the edge portion 27 of casing 25 Xtending from the rear side thereof. The edge portion 27 butts up against the wall surface 11 to make a good tight connection therewith when the bolt 21 in stud 29 is tightened on bracket 22. A liuid chamber 28 is formed between the casing 25 and body 17 within which a flexible diaphragm '2? is adapted to hex. Diaphragm 29 is securely clamped at its periphery between the casing 25 and body 1.7 by the screws 25, and at its inner diameter between a backing plate 31 and a hollow bushing 32. Bushing 32 slides a bore 33 formed in casing 25. The operating handle it? is provided at its forward end with a flange portion 3d adapted to bear upon shoulder 37 formed at the outer edge portion of bore 33, whenever the handle it? is actuated. The recess 35 enables a bearing surface to be formed on bushing 32 abutting flange 35.

"in order to hol the parts in their assembled norma' position as shown in PEG. 2, a restoring spring 459 arranged between the rear of backing plate 3i and recess formed in the body 1?. The spring urges the handle flange 36 against shoulder 37 to normally maintain the handle lid in a horizontal upright position as well as force the diaphragm 29 rearwardly against bushing 32. A guide pin il attached to backing plate 31 slides in a recess in body 17 and serves to hold the diaphragm 29 and guide plate vertically during the operating movement of the diaphragm, as will be pointed out.

The fluid conduit 13 is attached to the rear opening 15 leading into the fluid chamber 28 by means or" the compression fitting 42 so that this chamber 28 will always be kept full of fluid fed from the conduit 13.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, the actuator unit 14 on the flush valve 6 includes the cup-shaped casing 50 having a cover 51 closing the open end and fastened by means of a series of screws 52 threaded into the periphery of the casing from the front of the cover. A fluid chamber 49 is formed in the casing 59 within which a flexible diaphragm 53 is adapted to operate with its edge portion clamped between the cover 51 and the edge of casing 51) by screws 52 as shown. The center portion of the diaphragm 53 normally rests against the cover 51 on one side and a cup-shaped member 54 presses against the other side.

A bushing 55 threads into the rear shank portion of casing 59, and is provided with an external flange 56 which enables the coupling nut 57 to securely support the complete handle unit 14 in the opening 58 in the flush valve 6 when the nut 57 is tightened. A gasket 59 seals the opening 58 from leakage outward from the flush valve. The operating plunger 60 is suitably fastened to the bottom of the cup-shaped member 54, and projects rear- Wardly through the chamber 49 and bushing 55. A reduced portion 61 extends through an end wall 62 of the bushing 55 around which wall a series of openings 63 are provided for entry of water. Restoring spring 64 surrounds plunger 60 and extends from the end wall 62 to exert its tension against cup member 54 and thereby normally hold the diaphragm 53 up against the cover 51 as shown. Plunger end 61 is adapted when operated to contact and trip the relief valve stem 65 of the flush valve 6 and thereby cause operation of the flush valve in the known manner.

The casing 59 is formed with a lower enlarged portion 66 constituting a reservoir 67, and also with a projecting boss 68 to which the other end of the fluid conduit 13 is attached as by means of the pressure fitting 69. A bore 70 in cover 51 permits fluid from the conduit 13 to be exposed to one side of the diaphragm 53 while a branch 71 of the bore leads into a restricted opening 72 formed in a by-pass member 73 in turn leading into fluid reservoir 67.

The reservoir 67 is normally filled with water as shown up to a level with the bottom of bushing 55, as well as in the bores 70 and 71, and conduit 13. At the handle unit 12 end, water completely fills the bore 15 and chamber 28. It is preferable that the flush valve 6 and actuating unit 14 be arranged or mounted with the unit 14 at a slightly higher elevation from the handle unit 12 so that the water will not flow out from reservoir 67 through the openings 63.

In describing the operation of the invention, assume that the parts are all in their normal position as shown with the fluid chambers 28 and 67, conduit 13 and bores 15 and 71 all filled with water and not under pressure. The user of the water closet will operate the handle 10, FIG. 2, in any direction, thereby causing the handle to push bushing 32 inward along with the diaphragm 29, causing the latter to expel the water from chamber 28 into bore 15 and the conduit 13. The diaphragm 29 is formed with an intermediate folded section 30 which lays along the inner wall of chamber 28 and peels off the Wall as the diaphragm is moved. When the user releases the handle 10, the restoring spring 40 immediately forces the diaphragm 29 back to its normal position as shown, and also holds the handle in its normal horizontal position as shown.

The water being forced through conduit 13 exerts its pressure at the actuating mechanism 14, FIG. 3, through bore 70, and the left-hand side of diaphragm 53, forcing the same inwardly across the chamber 49 and away from its resting position against cover 51. The cup member 54 is thereby projected forwardly in chamber 49, and since plunger 66 is attached to the cup, the end 61 of the plunger is projected through the bushing end 62 into operative contact with the stem 65 of the relief valve,

thereby causing the flush valve to operate and flush the water closet 6. As a further result of the movement of diaphragm 53, it forces a portion of the water in reservoir 67 outwardly through the holes 63 of bushing into the outlet of the flush valve. However, enough water remains in the reservoir 67 to keep the by-pass element 73 always covered.

It will be noted that almost the full pressure of the water in conduit 13 and bore 7 (l is exerted against the left side of diaphragm 53 while only a very small amount of Water can leak through bore 71, and small by-pass opening 72 of element 73, into chamber 67. This small restriction, while not affecting the reliable operation of the diaphragm 53, enables some of the water in conduit 13 to escape to reservoir 67. This is of advantage in case the flush valve is of the hold-open type; that is one equipped with a relief valve stem which does not telescope in case the user attempts to hold the handle down and plunger 61 inward to waste water. In such event the bypass 71 will relieve the fluid from line 13, thereby enabling spring 64 to restore diaphragm 53 to its original position. The by-pass 73 also enables any air in the pressure system to be expelled immediately and readily into the reservoir 67 and then the water returns slowly through the bypass to replace the air to make the liquid connection solid between the two diaphragms.

When the operating handle 10 is released, the restoring spring 40 forces the diaphragm 29 back against bushing 32 and restoring spring 64 does the same with diaphragm 53. Since a portion of the water in conduit 13 has been expelled through by-pass 73 into reservoir 67, this is replenished by the return action of the diaphragm 29, creating a suction effect in conduit 13, whereby water is sucked back through by-pass 73 from the reservoir 67 to again fill up the conduit 13 to its full capacity. If sulficient water is not secured by this suction action, the water will eventually run by gravity down from the reservoir 67 and back through the by-pass 73 into the conduit 13 to fill it. The reservoir 67 itself is maintained full of water to the level indicated, by being replenished through the holes 63 of bushing 55 each time the flush valve 6 is 0perated. The construction described precludes the formation of air pockets in the fluid line between the two diaphragms which could interfere with the reliable operation of the equipment. The foregoing arrangement also assures that the conduit 13 will remain full of water at all times to provide positive and reliable operation of the flush valve.

In order that the conduit system may be initially charged with fluid and for purposes of testing the operation of the flush valve, if necessary, the invention contemplates the use of auxiliary flush valve operating means. This comprises a push button 86 slidable in the cover 51 and having a head portion 81 adapted to be forced against the diaphragm 53 and thereby trip the flush valve through projection of the plunger 60, 61 against relief valve stem 65. The operation of the flush valve 6 then results in water flowing into holes 63 to fill up the reservoir 67. Subsequently, the button 80 is released and operated several times to insure a full charge in the conduit 13 as by gravity from reservoir 67 through by-pass 73 and by the pumping action of diaphragm 53. An O-ring 82 prevents leakage outward from the push button 80.

A modification of the by-pass arrangement 73 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 5, in which a check valve 75 is employed normally held against the by-pass opening 76 by the light spring 77. Each time the diaphragm 29 is retracted, it sucks water from the reservoir 67 into the conduit 13 through bore and 71, but when the diaphragm is projected forward, the check valve remains closed and the full pressure in conduit 13 is exerted against the rear of diaphragm 53.

It is apparent that there are many advantages to the arrangement provided by the invention. It is not necessary that accurate roughing-in measurements be made between the location of the flush valve and its operating handle on the wall, the copper tube or conduit 13 is merely bent to accommodate the location within rather Wide limits since the condiut may be of any reasonable length or can be cut to fit the particular installation. Furthermore, the wall thickness need no longer be of concern to the installing plumber since all he has to do is thread the nut 21 on stud 2% against the bracket 22 to hold the unit 12 in place for any wall thickness. The former rigid costly and adjustable handle extensions are entirely dispensed with. A considerable saving in materials, costs and labor is effected and a more stable, reliable and positively operating arrangement is afforded. A further saving is eiiected because it is no longer necessary to provide the additional right angle flush tubing from the flush valve outlet to the closest bowl, as the flush valve need no longer be supported directly behind the position where the handle it) protrudes from the wall 10. It can be mounted directly behind and on the center line of the closest bowl as shown.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is capable of other modifications to one skilled in the art, and it is therefore not desired to limit the invention to the precise construction disclosed, but only to the extent of the appended claims. it will be understood, for example, that, whereas 1 illustrate water as the liquid employed, some other liquid may be employed. it will be understood, also, that, whereas the renewal of the liquid supply in the duct or conduit 13 is advantageously provided by employing the flow of water through the valve, 1 do not wish to be limited solely to such practice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a remotely located handle unit, a fluid filled conduit connecting both of said units together, means in said handle unit for displacing the fluid in said conduit into said actuating unit, said actuating unit having a fluid chamber therein and a diaphragm in said chamber, the fluid in said conduit adapted to act on one side of said diaphragm and force it across said chamber, means attached to said diaphragm and movable therewith for causing the operation of said flush valve, said fluid chamber having a fluid reservoir open to the space on the discharge side of said valve on the other side of said diaphragm which is kept at a constant level by fluid flow from the discharge side of said flush valve and open means across said diaphragm opening to the lower part of said reservoir, whereby fluid displaced from said conduit by operation of said handle unit through said open means is replenished from said reservoir after each operation of said handle unit.

2. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, a remotely located handle unit, a fluid filled conduit connecting said units, means in said handle unit for displacing the fluid in said conduit and forcing the same into said actuating unit, said actuating unit having a fluid chamber therein, a diaphragm in said chamber, a fluid passage in said chamber extending from one side of said diaphragm into said conduit whereby displacement of the fluid in said conduit acts against one side of said diaphragm to move it in said chamber, means on said diaphragm and movable therewith to operate said flush valve, said chamber having a fluid reservoir therein, said actuating unit having openings therein 6 leading from said flush valve into said reservoir whereby said reservoir is maintained at a constant level by the operation or said flush valve, and 'a by-pass in said chamber extending from one side of said diaphragm to the other side and opening to the lower portion of said reservoir, whereby the displaced fluid in said conduit is replenished from said reservoir into said passage and conduit after each operation of said flush valve.

3. in a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve, 3. remotely located handle unit, a fluid filled conduit extending between said units, means responsive to the operation of said handle unit for displacing the fluid in said conduit and forcing the same into said actuating unit, a fluid chamber in said actuating unit, a diaphragm arranged across said chamber, a fluid passage connected to said conduit on one side of said diaphragm whereby the fluid displaced in said conduit acts upon said diaphragm to move it across said chamber, operating means on said diaphragm and movable therewith to cause the operation of said flush valve, a fluid reservoir on the other side of said diaphragm from said passage, said reservoir being maintained at a constant level from fluid received from said flush valve each time it is operated, a by-pass in said chamber extending from one side or" said chamber to the other side and opening to the lower portion of said reservoir, a portion of the fluid in said fluid conduit being forced through said by-pass into said reservoir when said handle unit is operated, said displaced fluid in said conduit being replenished through said by-pass from said reservoir after each operation of said handle unit.

4. In a flush valve operating arrangement, an actuating unit mounted on said flush valve including a casing having a fluid chamber therein, a diaphragm in said chambet, a fluid filled conduit connected to said casing on one side of said diaphragm, means for displacing the fluid in said conduit to exert its force against one side of said diaphragm to move it across said fluid chamber, an operating plunger connected to said diaphragm and movable therewith to cause operation of said flush valve, said casing having at least one opening therein leading into said flush valve whereby fluid from said flush valve when operated flows back into said chamber, a reservoir in said chamber on the other side of said diaphragm from said conduit, the level of fluid in said reservoir being replenished from said flush valve after each operation, a bypass in said casing extending from one side of said diaphragm to the other and opening to the lower portion of said reservoir, a portion of the fluid displaced in said conduit being forced through said by-pass into said reservoir, means for restoring said diaphragm after its operation, and means for causing fluid to pass back through said by-pass from said reservoir to replenish the amount displaced from said conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Parker Nov. 4, 1958 Trubert et al Aug. 29, 1961 

1. IN A FLUSH VALVE OPERATING ARRANGEMENT, AN ACTUATING UNIT MOUNTED ON SAID FLUSH VALVE, A REMOTELY LOCATED HANDLE UNIT, A FLUID FILLED CONDUIT CONNECTING BOTH OF SAID UNITS TOGETHER, MEANS IN SAID HANDLE UNIT FOR DISPLACING THE FLUID IN SAID CONDUIT INTO SAID ACTUATING UNIT, SAID ACTUATING UNIT HAVING A FLUID CHAMBER THEREIN AND A DIAPHRAGM IN SAID CHAMBER, THE FLUID IN SAID CONDUIT ADAPTED TO ACT ON ONE SIDE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM AND FORCE IT ACROSS SAID CHAMBER, MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID DIAPHRAGM AND MOVABLE THEREWITH FOR CAUSING THE OPERATION OF SAID FLUSH VALVE, SAID FLUID CHAMBER HAVING A FLUID RESERVOIR OPEN TO THE SPACE ON THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF SAID VALVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID DIAPHRAGM WHICH IS KEPT AT A CONSTANT LEVEL BY FLUID FLOW FROM THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF SAID FLUSH VALVE AND OPEN MEANS ACROSS SAID DIAPHRAGM OPENING TO THE LOWER PART OF SAID RESERVOIR, WHEREBY FLUID DISPLACED FROM SAID CONDUIT BY OPERATION OF SAID HANDLE UNIT THROUGH SAID OPEN MEANS IS REPLENISHED FROM SAID RESERVOIR AFTER EACH OPERATION OF SAID HANDLE UNIT. 